The Ulster winger (32) and former Miss Wales (28) have recently moved into a new home in Belfast and after enjoying a summer of sun holidays and focusing on recovery from his knee injury, the couple are busy settling into their new home in Belfast.

"Married life is going well, everything has been great, we had a nice holiday – we went to some of America, including Hawaii in the summer," he told Independent.ie.

As for Christmas, the pair will be bucking tradition and hosting their own celebrations this season.

Tommy Bowe walking down the aisle with his wife Lucy Whitehouse

“This year, we’ve moved into a new house so I think it’ll be the two of us in the house in Belfast this year for Christmas.

"Maybe her parents might come over or my parents from Monaghan – that’s what I’ve been told the plan is anyway! I may even have to cook,” he laughed.

Bowe is currently celebrating the success of his latest clothing collaboration - his third XV Kings collection in addition to his Lloyd & Pryce shoe range, all designed and distributed in his native Monaghan.

After an 11-month knee injury, he’s working his way up to his full fitness and said he will be watching this weekend’s game at home in Belfast as he did for the Chicago victory.

“I think I’ll watch this one at home. I’d love to be there of course, but I’d have people asking me why I’m not there. It’s frustrating being there, but at the same time I have a weekend off from rugby which is rare. As it’s a weekend off so I might just get away for a few days.”

The 32-year-old said it was “tough” to watch the match at home, but acted just like every other Irish supporter cheering on his teammates.

“It was tough, of course it was. I watched it in the pub with a couple of friends,” he said.

"The atmosphere and the build-up seemed incredible and to see them actually do it, you turn into an Irish supporter – I was just so happy to see the team do it. It’s frustrating but I know I’ve been out long enough and I’m delighted to be back playing and getting myself back to the standard I know I want to be at.”

“Ireland were just incredible that day, to score 40 points against New Zealand, probably one of the best teams in history is phenomenal. It was a great day to be Irish.

“It was super that it was in America, but it was a pity in a way that it wasn’t in Ireland. If it was at the Aviva in Dublin and on RTE, it would have just been…I’d say we’d still be celebrating.”

XV Kings by Tommy Bowe is available in over 80 stores nationwide or at www.xvkings.com. Shot on location at The Morrison Hotel.